Trema orientale is native to tropical and southern Africa (including Madagascar), Asia (theArabian Peninsula, China, eastern Asia, tropical Asia) and Australia.[6]
The wood is relatively soft, and burns easily and quickly when dry. The wood is suitable forpaper andpulp production,[11][12] producing paper with good tensile strength and folding endurance.[11] The bark can be used for making string or rope, and used as waterproofing fishing-lines.[7][13] InIndia andTanzania, the wood is used to makecharcoal and is a good fire starter.[13]
Trema orientalis has been reported to containcannabinoids such astetrahydrocannabinol (30 mg/kg-90 mg/kg avg),cannabinol (130 mg/kg-357 mg/kg avg) andcannabidiol (2 mg/kg-5 mg/kg avg). Identification was performed by comparing the retention time of HPLC and GC analysis.[17] However these results have not yet been independently replicated, and have been disputed.[18]
This species has a high ecological impact with at least 14 species ofbutterfly using it as a larval food plant.[7] Several species of birds eat the fruit or feed on the abundant insects which live in these trees. Pigeons and doves are often found in these trees where they eat the fruits or make their nests; giving the origin of the name 'Pigeon Wood'.[7] The leaves, pods and seeds are used asfodder for cattle, buffaloes and goats in thePhilippines.[11][14] The leaves are also browsed by game animals and can be used as spinach. This tree is a fast-growing species found in previouslydisturbed areas and on forest margins. It is apioneer species that can grow on poor soil and can be used to regenerate forest areas by providing shade and protection to saplings of forest hardwoods.T. orientale isnitrogen fixing and can thereby improve soil fertility for other plant species.[14]
^ The basionym ofT. orientalis,Celtis orientalis was originally described and published inSpecies Plantarum 2: 1044. 1753."Name -Celtis orientalis L."Tropicos. Saint Louis, Missouri: Missouri Botanical Garden. RetrievedNovember 2, 2011.Type-Protologue: Locality: Habitat in Indiis: Distribution: Sri Lanka
^Jahan, M. Sarwar; Sung Phil Mun (April 2007). "Characteristics of Dioxane Lignins Isolated at Different Ages of Nalita Wood (Trema orientalis)".Journal of Wood Chemistry and Technology.27 (2):83–98.doi:10.1080/02773810701486865.S2CID98093199.
^abcEckman, Karlyn; Hines, Deborah A. (1993)."Trema orientalis"(PDF).Indigenous multipurpose trees of Tanzania: uses and economic benefits for people.FAO Forestry Department. Retrieved2010-03-02.
^Barbera, R.; Trovato, A.; Rapisarda, A.; Ragusa, S. (1992). "Analgesic and antiinflammatory activity in acute and chronic conditions of Trema guineense (Schum. et Thonn.) Ficalho and Trema micrantha Blume extracts in rodents".Phytotherapy Research.6 (3): 146.doi:10.1002/ptr.2650060309.S2CID83475778.
^Napiroon T, Tanruean K, Poolprasert P, Bacher M, Balslev H, Poopath M, Santimaleeworagun W. Cannabinoids from inflorescences fractions of Trema orientalis (L.) Blume (Cannabaceae) against human pathogenic bacteria.PeerJ. 2021 May 13;9:e11446.doi:10.7717/peerj.11446PMID34035994
^Appendino G, Taglialatela-Scafati O, Muñoz E. Cannabidiol (CBD) From Non-Cannabis Plants: Myth or Reality?Natural Product Communications. 2022;17(5).doi:10.1177/1934578X221098843
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